Consumers perception of genetically modified horticultural food : an interview study

Abstract: Genetically modified food within the horticulture sector is strictly regulated in the European Union today. In a future where the question of whether to adopt biotechnology, regarding genetically modified or gene-edited horticultural products, the perception of such technology is of importance. This study aimed to investigate the perception regarding genetically modified food and the underlying thoughts that drives these statements. Also, the perception of related technology, the gene-editing technology CRISPR/Cas was investigated. This gene-editing technology is one of the most promising technologies and with precision alter DNA in crops today, and therefore, perception towards this technology is highly relevant to investigate. This study was based on interviews including 8 participants that were interviewed for 1 hour, regarding the perception of genetically modified- and gene editing technologies. The participants were interviewed with a semi-structured approach which allowed discussions to take place. The material was then analyzed, discussed, and compared with results and conclusions of available literature regarding this topic, to strengthen the findings in this study. A special focus was to see if there were any links between statements and positions regarding gender, age, and knowledge level. The results showed that there was no clear link regarding education level and position towards the concept of GM food. However, there was a connection between both gender and age and the position and attitude towards GM food. Furthermore, gene-editing technology seemed to be more accepted than traditionally gene-modified technologies. There was also an observed knowledge need amongst the participants. The clearest connection towards a positive perception towards GM food seems the perceived knowledge regarding the understanding of the technology and was concluded in this study. An expression such as, unnatural and health hazards were mostly observed of those who rejected GM food. This study contains a relatively few numbers of participants, which means that the results don’t reflect the perception of the public, which in turn points to the importance of more research in the area.